Find out how to grow this lovely low-maintenance, mainly pest-free alternative to hostas
Looking for a low-maintenance plant? Brunnera is a brilliant choice for a shady spot. Resistant to any major pests and diseases, it’s a perfect alternative to hostas if you are plagued by slugs and snails in your garden. There are three species, mostly derived from Brunnera macrophylla (meaning ‘large-leaved’).
Known as the great forget-me-not or Siberian bugloss, it thrives in shady spots but can handle some dryness – just avoid full sun to prevent scorching. During April and May, blue or white flowers appear alongside heart-shaped leaves which come in beautiful forms, including silver to cream variegations and spotted patterns.
For a second flush of foliage and, hopefully, flowers in autumn, cut back when flowering has finished in late spring/early summer.
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Wildlife credentials with our Dr Chris Gibson
The flowers are visited by smaller bees and bee-flies that are happy to forage under shade. Steps should be taken to avoid the plants escaping from gardens as their dense, ground-cover foliage can eliminate native species from natural habitats.
Goes well with
- Foxglove (Digitalis sp)
- Ferns
- Hostas
- Melic grass (Melica sp)
- Pachysandras
Brunnera macrophylla– in spring, long sprays of tiny forget-me-not blue flowers are followed by robust clumps of basal leaves, each huge and heart-shaped, making good groundcover in shade. It will tolerate sunnier positions, but with reduced size. Height and spread: 40cm x 60cm
Brunnera macrophylla ‘Betty Bowring’– has sprays of pure white forget-me-not like flowers, larger than many other brunnera, which float above large matt-green leaves. Height and spread: 40cm x 50cm
Brunnera macrophylla ‘Dawson’s White’- heart shaped leaves boldly variegated, deep-green and creamy-white, some almost entirely white. Needs careful placing, protected from sun scorch or wind damage, in soil that never dries out. Height and spread: 30cm x 60cm
Brunnera macrophylla ‘Hadspen Cream’- large, light green leaves are irregularly bordered with primrose which dissolves partially into the centre. Gentler colouring than Brunnera macrophylla ‘Dawson’s White’ but needs partial shade and a retentive soil. Height and spread 45cm x 60cm
Brunnera macrophylla ‘Looking Glass’- great in shady spot, where the almost entirely silver foliage will show off to its best effect. The typical sprays of blue flowers, follow in spring. Cut back tired foliage to encourage a second flush of silver-coloured leaves. Height and spread: 50cm x 50cm
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